Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698947070321.pdf (Uganda)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO COMMEMORATE THE 25 YEARS OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.

(Moved under rule 47 of the Rules of Procedure).
WHEREAS Uganda will join the rest of the world today 20th November 2014, to mark 25 years of the promulgation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC); AND WHEREAS the UNCRC was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as an International Instrument to protect children’s rights and ensure children achieve their full potential; AWARE THAT the adoption of the UNCRC as an international instrument sets a positive climate and framework within which the child rights agenda can be promoted within state parties; FURTHER AWARE THAT the Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history and its unprecedented acceptance clearly indicates a wide global commitment to advancing children’s rights; APPRECIATING THAT Uganda ratified the UNCRC and its optional protocols in 1990 and 2002 respectively and the government of Uganda has undertaken progressive measures to protect and promote children’s rights within the country; FURTHER APPRECIATING THAT the past two decades have seen marked progress in the child rights sector most especially in the establishment of policy, legislative and institutional framework for the realization of child rights and there has been considerable efforts by the Government of Uganda in realizing its obligation to the children by implementing national level programmes both at Ministerial level and in collaboration with bilateral donors; CONCERNED THAT despite this laudable progress, there are still gaps in the realization of children’s rights in Uganda: resources for adequate implementation of policies and programmes remain low; majority of children in the country continue to live under deplorable conditions characterized by; high infant mortality rates, high school dropout rates especially of girls that enrol for primary education, increase in cases of child abuse, increase in the number of children living on the street, Child physical abuse including corporal punishment and other forms of physical violence against children, Child sexual abuse (including rape, defilement, sexual harassment and pornography) and child trafficking, among others; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT the National Council for Children (NCC), a semi- autonomous institution mandated by an Act of Parliament (NCC Act of 1996) to inter alia monitor and oversee all Government programmes concerning children in Uganda has, since its birth, remained chronically underfunded, understaffed and incapacitated to implement its mandate; 1 NOTING THAT the amendment of the Children’s Act Cap.
59 would go a long way in facilitating the realization of the rights of the child; ACKNOWLEDGING THAT though there is much to celebrate as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Convention; from declining infant mortality to rising school enrolment, this historic milestone must also serve as an urgent reminder that much remains to be done to protect and promote the rights of our children in Uganda so that they can be at par with their peers in the ‘better parts’ of the world; COGNIZANT THAT the world needs new ideas and approaches in order to make the lives of our children better, and the Convention must become a guiding document for every human being in every nation.
NOW THEREFORE be it resolved by this Parliament that- It dedicates this day 20th November 2014 to commemorate the 25 years of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) through- 1.

Prioritizing children’s’ issues in all agenda including; planning and budgeting, among others.

2.

Putting in place and strengthening the existing legislation to protect the best interest of the child.

3.
3.

Increasing budget allocations to the institutions it has created to ensure monitoring and accountability for the realization of children’s rights.

4.

Revitalizing and strengthening the National Children’s Council (NCC) by transforming it into a fully-fledged commission with its own premises and human and financial resources.

5.

Increasing and Promoting awareness and understanding of children’s rights in all institutions of government.

MOVED BY : Hon.
MOVED BY : Hon.

Kiwanda Godfrey Ssubi (MP) Mityana County, North.

SECONDED BY: Hon.

Obua – Ogwal Benson (MP) Moroto County, Alebtong District 2 3